Just a Few Inches

Title: Just a Few Inches
Author: Tara St. Pierre
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 298
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Stars
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"It's just a few inches".  That's what Carrie Roberts told herself as she downed her first dietary pill just four days before the Valentine Day Dance.  Carrie, desperate to prove to her cheerleader rival, Janelle, that she could fit into the best dress ever, Carrie turns to a miracle weight loss pill.  But, little did she know that she'd begin to lose those "few inches" in just the wrong places. 

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Essentially, this book follows the vertical decrease of Carrie Roberts after she misuses dietary pills.  However, this book is about so much more than just that.  I actually really enjoyed this novel along with its positive and powerful message.

When Carrie Roberts starts to lose inches in height, she uses her misfortune to make an impact on other people who suffer with negative body image and low self esteem.  I feel like most people go through something like this at some point in their lives, and because of that, most people would be able to really relate to this book.  Even if you've never felt bad about your appearance, you've probably compared yourself to another person at some point.  This book really addresses accepting who are, and loving yourself for you.  

But the positive message is not the only thing I enjoyed about this book.  For one thing, the plot itself if very new and exciting.  I myself am taller than the average adult female, so I'm rather close in height to where Carrie starts out.  Because of this, it was rather weird reading from the perspective of someone who is basically growing backwards.  I always told myself that I have to remember what it feels like to grow up, so that I'll never be the type of adult that can't relate with a child.  But, as I watched through Carrie's eyes how different the world seems when you're the height of a small child, I realized how much I've already forgotten.  It was almost difficult at times to visualize the world as Carrie shrunk, and it was rather refreshing to remember what it was like to be shorter than counter tops or unable to look up a things for very long without getting a stiff neck. 

Another thing I enjoyed was just how much the plot twisted and turned.  There were plenty of times when I was unable to stop reading because of how suspenseful the writing was. The other small aspect I enjoyed was that Carrie was the assistant editor of her school newspaper. She made quite a few grammar related jokes that only certain people in this world can appreciate.  

So if you want a relatable suspenseful, and moving story, I would recommend Just a Few Inches by Tara St. Pierre.